Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

RTI Act

This refers to the article “The hazards of using RTI Act” (Open Page, July 1). It is indeed shocking that the RTIA is violated and resisted by the very same government officials who are expected to be agents of good governance. It is obvious that individuals cannot be expected to face the wrath of local mafias or groups whose interests are hurt by information furnished under the Act. There is dire need for a helpline for people who are threatened and harassed by vested interests.

The organisers of the RTIA campaign should coordinate with local civil society groups and the media to provide a contact name and number where the aggrieved parties can give details of their adverse experience in the course of using the Act. The media can also provide space to them to recount their experience. This will help to overcome the isolation of individual struggles.

Jasveen Jairath,
Hyderabad

* * *

In view of my experience in seeking information under the Act and the views expressed in the article, I would like to point out that whenever people have raised their voice against any form of injustice or sought to fight the existing system, attempts have been made to suppress them. But they can be suppressed or intimidated only up to a point. That a single application can terrify the corrupt into becoming desperate shows how effective democracy can be. If anyone fears for his safety, he or she can ask his or her friend at a distant place to apply for the same information so that targeting can become difficult for corrupt elements.

Sugandha Jaiswal,
Hisar

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